It wasn't just Nezumi who was stunned—
Even the Marines from the branch were frozen in place.
Was this old man really a Marine?
"Bogey, cuff this guy. He doesn't look like any kind of righteous Marine. After I deal with things here, we'll interrogate him properly."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Kane!"
Bogey stepped forward.
Only then did Nezumi snap back to his senses.
"Even if you're a Vice Admiral, you don't have the authority to detain me! I'll report this to my superiors!"
Kane smiled.
"Oh? You want to report me?"
Seeing that smile, fear flashed across Nezumi's eyes. For a moment, he didn't dare say another word.
"Trash like you only stains the name of the Marines. Bogey—if he resists, execute him on the spot."
After saying that, Kane turned his gaze toward the other Marines.
"As Marines, you neglect your duty and turn a blind eye to real pirates. You should be ashamed. Take them all away."
Hearing "execute on the spot," Nezumi trembled in terror and didn't dare resist in the slightest.
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Soon, Nezumi and his subordinates were dragged away.
Of course—
Nami's treasure went with them.
That had been agreed upon.
Kane had no intention of being polite about it.
Only then did Nojiko and Genzo come back to their senses.
They looked at Kane with gratitude and awe.
This… is what a real Marine looks like!
Kane turned to Nami.
"Let's go. Time to deal with Arlong. You lead the way."
Nami's heart surged with excitement.
At that moment, the villagers began to gather.
They were ordinary people—
Not a single proper weapon among them.
Only hoes, pitchforks, and farming tools.
"Vice Admiral! Let us help too!"
Kane paused for a moment.
"Don't worry. You won't need to lift a finger. I'll handle it. I'm very strong—this is the Marines' duty."
"Let's go. Lead the way."
Nami didn't say anything more and walked ahead.
The villagers still followed behind.
Kane didn't think much of it.
He had seen scenes like this too many times.
The village wasn't large.
Soon, Nami led him to a tall building.
Above the gate were the words:
Arlong Park.
She took a deep breath—
Then pushed the gate open.
In an instant—
All the fish-men inside turned to look at her.
"Oh? Nami. Back already? How much did you bring this time?"
Arlong grinned.
But soon, he noticed Kane behind her.
"A Marine?"
His expression darkened.
Yet, Kane seemed oddly familiar.
Through the gate, he also saw the villagers—
And the "weapons" in their hands.
"Just a bunch of inferior humans."
The disgust in his voice was unmistakable.
Nami's anger flared instantly.
"Arlong… your end has come."
The fish-men were stunned—
Then burst into laughter.
"Did I hear that right?! Nami, have you lost your mind?!"
"A human, talking like this? I told you—humans are trash!"
"Does she really think she's one of us now?"
Mockery echoed throughout the hall.
Nami remained calm.
"Arlong… the Marines targeting my money before… was that because of you?"
The laughter stopped.
Arlong looked at her, slightly surprised.
"That's your problem. What does it have to do with me?"
But there was a trace of mockery in his eyes.
He had expected rage—
Helpless fury.
Instead, Nami smiled.
"…Doesn't matter anymore."
Arlong's expression turned completely cold.
"Nami… I gave you a chance. And now you bring a Marine here? Don't tell me you think this old man is your savior… huh?"
His tone was full of ridicule.
"That filthy mouth of yours hasn't changed."
Kane's voice suddenly rang out.
Whoosh—!
He appeared instantly in front of Arlong.
Arlong's pupils shrank.
Before he could react—
BOOM!
Kane's punch sent him flying, smashing into the wall and blasting a massive hole through it.
Dust filled the air.
Everyone was stunned.
The fish-men roared in anger and charged forward.
Kane moved like a storm.
One punch per fish-man—
No, one punch per enemy.
In mere moments—
Every fish-man in the courtyard lay on the ground, groaning in pain.
"That's it? And you dare look down on humans?"
Kane scoffed.
Suddenly—
A sharp blade struck from behind.
"Watch out!" Nami shouted.
Kane didn't even turn.
His hand shot back—
His palm turning jet black.
Crack!
He caught the blade barehanded—
And crushed it to pieces.
"Octopus boy… you've got some nerve. Following trash like this? Looks like you need a proper lesson. Jinbe really didn't teach you anything."
He grabbed the fish-man's arm—
Lifted him—
And slammed him into the ground.
Blood sprayed.
The fish-man lost consciousness instantly.
At this point—
The Arlong Pirates were essentially wiped out.
And that was Kane holding back.
Otherwise—
They'd already be dead.
Though his strength had declined over the years—
He was still far beyond an ordinary Vice Admiral.
Against truly powerful pirates, he might struggle.
But these fish-men?
Not even close.
After all—
Getting people like Sengoku to owe him favors wasn't easy.
He wasn't about to waste effort here.
The scene left Nami and the villagers completely stunned.
Then—
Cheers erupted.
"Long live the Marines! Justice prevails!"
But suddenly—
A rumble came from the ruins.
The cheers stopped instantly.
"…So it's you, Kane. That annoying human Vice Admiral."
Arlong's voice echoed out.
He staggered out of the rubble, battered but furious.
"You recognize me? Then hurry up and beg for forgiveness."
Kane said calmly.
"Beg? Impossible! A superior fish-man would never bow to inferior humans! I've wanted to tear you apart for a long time!"
But before he could finish—
Kane was already above him.
BOOM!
A devastating punch slammed into Arlong's head.
His eyes bulged, veins popping—
The ground beneath him exploded into a crater.
Before he could even move—
Kane's foot came down on his head.
With a slight press—
Arlong's skull was driven straight into the ground.
A scream tore from his throat.
Kane looked down coldly.
"What did you just say?"
"What kind of humans?"